Another aid plane has left for Lebanon as the UAE continues its support following the deadly blast in Beirut.
Sheikha Fatima, chairwoman of the General Women's Union and president of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, directed a plane carrying about 100 tonnes of medicines and nutritional supplies be dispatched to the country.
Officials and female staff from the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) are also flying to Lebanon to identify what needs to be done, especially for mothers and children. The aid reflects Sheikha Fatima’s solidarity with the Lebanese people and it is being supervised by ERC.
It comes as Emirates on Thursday announced an airbridge between Dubai and Lebanon, dedicating more than 50 flights over the next few weeks to deliver emergency relief support.
People can donate money or pledge their Skywards Miles to Emirates Airline Foundation, which will then coordinate shipments of food, medical supplies and other items with its NGO partners.
"Today, the world is banding together to stand in solidarity with Lebanon, providing urgent relief and immediate recovery support to those affected by this tragic disaster," said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, group chairman and chief executive of Emirates.
"Emirates supports the UAE's ongoing humanitarian efforts to support Lebanon and is committed to bolster its global emergency response to ensure that it can support organisations which provide urgent care, shelter, food and medical support to the Lebanese people."
Both initiatives from Sheikha Fatima and Emirates represent just the latest phase in the UAE's humanitarian effort after last week's deadly blast in Beirut that killed 171 people and injured 6,000.
The UAE has already announced it will sponsor orphans who have lost their parents in the explosion.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, the Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra and chairman of the ERC, instructed the organisation to sponsor orphans and take care of the families who have lost loved ones.
Several plane loads carrying vital supplies have also left for Beirut over the past few days, while the UAE Volunteers programme has appealed for people here in the UAE to help with the effort.
Lebanese entities in the UAE have also stepped in. Thousands of window panes will be shipped from the UAE this week to help repair homes and shops. The aid distribution is part of the Together for Beirut campaign spearheaded by the Lebanese Business Council in Abu Dhabi.
Meanwhile, people can donate to the ERC relief effort on the charity's website.
